Vallorcine

The tiny, unspoilt village of Vallorcine is superbly located at the foot of Mont-Blanc, 20km from Chamonix and close to the Swiss border.

The scenery is stunning and is a family friendly resort with a relaxed atmosphere. The resort offers many excursions, hiking and walks in the mountains being surrounded by forests and at the gates of the Aiguilles Rouges and Berard Valley nature reserves.

Facilities in the Vallorcine village itself are blessedly limited. There are a handful of simple restaurants. However if you’re looking for a livelier night out or more extensive facilities, it’s easy to get Chamonix.

Chamonix (10 miles away) is indeed a fascinating traditional resort with a bustling atmosphere thanks to the presence of over 100 shops, bars and restaurants. The picturesque town also has a casino, Olympic ice rink, sports complex, tennis courts, climbing wall, bowling, Alpine museum, seven night clubs and three cinemas. Also in the region you can try paragliding or take a helicopter sight-seeing flight.

Describing all the activities that are available in Chamonix area would be long but with more than 46 different sports activities you will be spoilt for choice. There is even an incredibly scenic 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones senior. With 350km of signposted walking area and many lifts operating throughout the summer the choice for hiking and rambling is endless. Sunday is market day in Chamonix.

MultiPass Mont Blanc Card

The Multipass Mont-Blanc chip card is the best way to enjoy many of the world renowned facilities in the Chamonix Valley. It gives you free access to all the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc facilities and will save you valuable time by avoiding ticket queues and extra reservation fees (eg for Aiguille du Midi). Facilities include the Aiguille du Midi (inc. booking fee of €2 + Free access to the top lift of Aiguille du Midi -instead of €3), Montenvers train to the Sea of Ice, Mont-Blanc Tramway, Flégère, Brévent, Balme, Grands Montets, Bossons lift and Prarion gondola in les Houches. You will also get discounts on the Chamonix tourist train and Courmayeur lifts in Italy. Pre-book with Peak Retreats. Prices from £48 per adult, £41 per child and £132 per family for 1 day. View here for full prices of MULTIPASS MONT BLANC.

Places of interest in Chamonix Valley

· Europe's highest cable car in Chamonix will take you to the fascinating Aiguille du Midi. The views from Europe’s highest cable car station (3842m) are literally breathtaking. It is the closest you can get to the Mont-Blanc without climbing training! From there you can walk back to the famous ‘Mer de Glace’ with ease and catch Montenvers train back to town.

· The Montenvers romantic red train journey to the famous ‘Mer de Glace’ or ‘Sea of Ice’ is also captivating. Discover what a real glacier is: 7km long, 40 sq km in area, 200 metres thick. Also available on site is a crystal gallery, a wildlife exhibition and the famous ice grotto.

· Argentières’s cable car to Les Grands Montets glacier also offers the starting point for superb walking itineraries. Reach Italy by cable car with the Helbronner cable car, which flies over the glaciers for more than 5km from the Aiguille du Midi. The Mont-Blanc tramway is the highest rack & pinion train in France and takes you from Saint-Gervais to the Eagle’s Nest (‘Nid d’Aigle’) at 2372m.

Multi-Activity coursesDaily and weekly programmes offeer children the opportunity to discover a wide choice of sports and nature activities in the company of professional guides and leaders: Cross-country biking, rock-climbing, adventure hikes, canyoning, rafting, tyrolean traverses.See companies - ‘Cham'Aventure’ – ‘Evolution 2’Mountain Biking: The perfect opportunity to discover both valley and mountain trails in the company of a qualified mountain bike leader.Paragliding: Tandem flights from Planpraz (Brevent), from 8 years of age.Rafting: Arve river descent, introduction to navigation techniques. From 10 years or age (minimum height 1.40 m)Hydrospeed: Arve river descent, introduction to white water swimming. From 12 years of age (minimum height 1.45 m and competent swimmer)Canyoning: Swimming, high jumps, water slides and abseiling...in mountain rivers. From 10 years of age.

MJCFor children from 6 to 12 yearsSports weeks are organised throughout the summer. Inscriptions on a weekly or daily basis, subject to availability: tennis, volley, gym, hiking, swimming, outdoor activities...Please book at the welcome desk of the MJC from Monday to Friday from 9am to 12 noon and from 3pm to 6pm.

Mountaineering, hiking, climbing, mountain biking, paragliding, and lots more. Chamonix’s reputation in terms of outdoor pursuits is far-reaching.Chamonix is also an exceptional nature park to discover and enjoy: the summit of Mont-Blanc, the Aiguille du Midi, and the Mer de Glace glacier.

The chair lifts and footpaths take you to admire one of the most famous landscapes in the Alps. Discover, too, a rich and protected animal and plant wildlife (Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve).

Chamonix Valley Hiking

The valley offers 350 km of superbly maintained hiking trails, with 160 different itineraries offering walks adapted to all.Choose the lower valley trails for the wonderful forest scents or gain altitude and taste the blueberries, admire the fantastic panoramas and test your stamina.

Yoga and Hiking

New this summer, yoga hiking: Combine the practice of yoga and hiking for a complete job of body and spirit with Yoga Rando.

The Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley, the Trail Running Valley

In just a few years, Chamonix Valley-Mont Blanc has become a favourite trail running destination.Routes18 waymarked routes between Servoz and VallorcineFar away from the standard hiking trails, 18 routes of varying lengths are reserved only for trail runners:S route lasting between 1 and 2 hoursM route lasting between 2 and 4 hoursL route lasting between 4 and 8 hoursEach numbered waymaker fixed to a trailside post (and marked in the route guide) indicates the direction of travel.The route guides can be downloaded from:> www.valleedutrail.com

Chamonix Valley Mountain biking

Finally, marked trails and arranged routes where mountain bikers can practice their activities to the full and in total safety.Two sites are dedicated to downhill mountain-biking in the Chamonix Valley.

The Houches site with its brand-new blue downhill track, which at 4km connects to Prarion in Maisonneuve offering a return route to the departure point by gondola lift. Expert mountain bikers will also be able to take the alternatives to this track…

Downhill itinerary to the Brévent and Lognan areas

About twenty marked-out tracks make it possible to cycle through hamlets and villages such as Servoz, Houches, Chamonix-Mont Blanc and Vallorcine.

Chamonix Climbing

Chamonix's ' granite attracts climbers from the world over. Superb mountain routes, prestigious north faces or more accessible rock faces and boulders for amateur climbers and beginners.

The Gaillands rocks: located just 2km south of Chamonix, next to the Gaillands lake offer a wide variety of easy to more difficult routes.

Bouldering at the Col des Montets: 10 km from Chamonix, just before Vallorcine and the Swiss, the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve offers ideal bouldering terrain with different sized granite blocs for climbing with and without ropes.

Chamonix Paragliding

Prestige Outdoor Specialists328 chem. de Saint RochLes Tines74400 Chamonix-Mont-BlancTel: +33(0)6 80 20 83 70Guides and instructors are qualified to the highest level, speak fluent English and have honed their skills over many years in the mountains around Chamonix. Half day prices:Brévent Planpraz: 120 € per personLes Grands Montets: 190 € per personAiguille du Midi: 265 € per person

Chamonix White Water sports

Canyoning

Leaping into mountain torrents, abseiling down waterfalls or whooshing along water slides appeals...

Hydrospeed

Ride the waves of the river Arve on an unforgettable trip down the Chamonix valley.Hydroglisse entails swimming in the current of the river, with helmet, flippers and a plastic float to keep one buoyant

Rafting

A team sport that can be enjoyed by all. The raft is a large inflatable dinghy which is guided down river by an experienced water sports professional and you his crew. The Arve is a tremendous river for first timers wishing to experience the joys of rafting.

Chamonix Golf

35 route du golf Les Praz74401 Chamonix-Mont-BlancTel: +33(0)4 50 53 06 28Course access: july and august not included, without booking: 13€ - july and august with booking: 26€Prepaid Green-fees High season: 5 Green-Fees: 288€ - 10 Green-Fees: 536€Prepaid Green-fees Very High season: 5 Green-Fees: 329€ - 10 Green-Fees: 618€24/04 to 16/11The 18 hole golf course was designed by the world famous Robert Trent Jones Senior in setting between the Mont-Blanc range and the massif of the Aiguille Rouges.The first three holes of the Chamonix golf club were built in 1934. It was soon extended to a nine hole golf course, and in 1982 Chamonix invited world-renowned golf course architect Robert Trent-Jones to design the last nine holes.18 hole golf course - 6076m long course - Par 72

Closed on May 1st and between May 12th and 25th.From 05/26 to 2014/06/20 between 12 PM and 7.30 PM.From 06/21 to 2014/07/04 between 12 PM and 7.30 PM.From 07/05 to 2014/08/31 between 10 AM and 7 PM.From 09/01 to 2014/09/07 between 10 AM and 7.30 PM.

Chamonix Skate parkMore than 800 m2, with a bowl, slope, various features, table top and ramps. Also includes a beginners’ area. Free admission. Located at the Bois du Bouchet, near the paragliding area.

Chamonix Tennis Richard Bozon

Chamonix Leisure Park

The Chamonix Leisure Park is an ideal place to spend a great day out with a family. More than 15 activities and games await you with an unlimited access! There is the panoramic tower, slides, toboggans, trampolines, summer sled...Not forgetting the electric motorcycles, indoor and outdoor play areas, giant swing, flying boat, loop-the-loop,Tyrolean rope adventure, water pistols... There are games and activities for children aged from just 3 year old.Lunch and snacks at our bar-restaurant or bring your own and relax at one of the picnic spots.

351 chemin du pied du Grépon74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

From 06/21 to 2014/06/30 between 2 PM and 6 PM.From 07/01 to 2014/07/06 between 11 AM and 6.30 PM.From 07/07 to 2014/08/29 between 10 AM and 7 PM.From 08/30 to 2014/08/31 between 11 AM and 6 PM.From 09/01 to 2014/09/14 between 2 PM and 6 PM.Closed the 8th and 9th.From 09/20 to 2014/10/12, every saturdays and sundays between 2 PM and 5.30 PM.

The Aiguille Rouges nature reserve

Free admission. Open from 10:00am to 5:30pm.Adapted services for children.Trainee facilitators provide tours of the reception chalet and the discovery trail. Microscopes and videodisks provide in-depth knowledge of discoveries made on the trail. Theme walks (registration necessary).

COUPEAU PARK:From May the 1st to June the 30th: From 2pm to 6pm on week-ends or public holidays.July and August: Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.From September the 1st to September the 15th: From 2pm to 6 pm only in week-ends.

CHAVANTS PARK:

July and August: Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.Arbre Aventure -Travel from tree to tree, in a magnificent forest situated in front of the Mont Blanc massif. Sky-high thrills in complete safety : take zip-wires, rope brodges, tunnels, rope ladders and sky walks...- For adults, 7 circuits of various levels :75 aerial challenges from tree to tree on a trail covering 3 hectares.Introduction and accompaniment by a professional instructor for the 5 first activities. Technical equipment provided.Minimum height 1m35 (4 ft 5).

Different circuits for children only:Two beginner circuits exist in Coupeau and near Lake Chavants.

Merlot Wildlife Park (Les Houches)

Occupying a former Alpine meadow with an amazing balcony view of the Mont Blanc massif, this park is home to 8 species of Alpine animals that roam in semi-freedom. Visitor events: 2pm: A Mountain of Secrets - 3pm: Antlers and Horns - And in the late afternoon:Marmots’ Feeding Time. 2495, chemin de Merlet 0033 4 50 53 47 89 - www.parcdemerlet.com

Please note: All the above information is for information only. For the most up-to-date information please visit the resort tourist office website. All prices for activities are in local currency (€ Euros) and are bookable and payable locally in resort.

Available at the tourist officeLeaflets for attractions in the Chamonix ValleyBrochures for the Mont Blanc region resorts and leaflets for the neighbouring Swiss and Italian resorts.Maps of the footpaths.Information about events in the valley.Local weather report posted every morning.Heritage information (the Old Coaching Road, the church, soapstone stoves).Free WiFi access, limited to 1 hr.

Chamonix Tourist OfficeTel: +33 4 50 53 00 24 -

Opening hours:July and August 2014Every day from 9am-12pm and 2.30pm-6.30pm

Not during French school holidays9am-12pm and 2.30pm-5.30pm. Closed on Sundays, Wednesdays and bank holidays.www.chamonix.com

CHAMONIX BUSThe scheduled bus services operated by Chamonix Bus serve the entire valley between Servoz and Le Tour. Use of these buses is free for carte d’hôteholders.Single journey €1.50 (may be subject to change)Timetables are available at www.chamonix-bus.com and from the tourist offices in the valley.

‘Mont-Blanc Express’ Train. The SNCF-CFF Saint Gervais-Chamonix-Martigny line serves all the villages from Saint Gervais/Le Fayet to Martigny (Switzerland), via Servoz, Les Houches, Chamonix, Argentière and Vallorcine. Use of the rail network between Servoz and Vallorcine is free of charge on presentation of a carte d’hôte.Free travel on trains applies only to journeys starting and ending at stations between Servoz and Vallorcine.Trains run hourly every day from 7am to 9pm. In France, no more than 5 bicycles may be taken on board a train.During peak times, SNCF staff reserve the right to refuse to allow bicycles on trains.In Switzerland, a fee is charged for carrying bicycles on trains.

Airport transfer

Need an Airport Transfer? Private return taxi from Geneva Airport to Vallorcine from £85pp. Call our reservations team for details on 0844 576 0170 or emailreservations@peakretreats.co.uk

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We are a true specialist award winning ski/alpine operator giving holiday makers the opportunity to discover the real Alpine France. Enjoy all you expect of a French Alps holiday - first-class accommodation and stunning scenery but also discover unspoilt, traditional and welcoming mountain villages.